Control and top speed – that’s what it’s all about when you want to be on the podium. The three Slalom boards –62.5, 72 and 85– are designed for blasting at PWA competition speed, rounding gybes at full speed and maintaining control in the broadest range of conditions possible. The added control will also benefit lighter riders, allowing them to remain in control even when fully overpowered and enabling them to get up to top speed quickly and maintain that speed. This year the 62.5 is a completely new shape.
The new 62.5
Together with our team riders we decided to focus on the smallest PWA Slalom size where no foils come into play and this size has now been updated with a completely new shape. That our team asked for higher top speeds came to no surprise as this is what they constantly push for. This has to go hand in hand with improved control. And you only can benefit from both when you nail the gybe and take all that speed through the turn at every gybe mark. To achieve this, our shaper Werner Gnigler adapted the whole board shape to fit the three, main new shape changes:
* Double step cut-outs
* Lifted apex point of the rail from the mid section to the nose
* Widened outline at the tail
The double step cut-outs improve control significantly. The release starts with a shallow cut-out, getting deeper towards the tail of the board controlling the water flow constantly while reducing drag. The cut-outs also thin out the rails which makes railing the board up and initiating the gybe at top speed much easier.
The lifted apex point of the rail keeps the nose from catching and adds control. Its main benefit is that it creates more lift in the turn which boosts flotation during the carve and prevents the board from slowing down, allowing the rider to maintain full speed through the turn.
The wider tail also contributes to maintaining the speed through the gybes and greatly improves early planing and acceleration.
The general concept of this board line:
When designing this line, our focus is to increase the average speed across the race course, paying special attention to gybing where some of the biggest gains can be made during a race. Here, the target was to maintain speed throughout the turn and to exit faster.
The 3 bigger shapes offer an improved, more locked and stable riding position. Far less effort is required to reach and maintain top speed and all of them provide great early planing power and a wide range of use. The tails of these boards are wide and provide lots of leverage towards the fin, resulting in more power and control.
The smooth deck shape guarantees a super comfortable stance. The rider preserves energy to push his limits on longer runs.
All sizes feature an additional pad wedge between the tail straps providing a more connected feel.
Each board size features a unique tail cut-out configuration to find the perfect mix of release and lengthy rail line for control.
From the mid-section of the board towards the nose we lifted the apex point of the rail. That way we gained some volume in the rail which helps exiting gybes with speed.
Beside the concave deck shape we used an additional recess for the deck box. The pivot point of the mast base drops and provides additional control when pushing the limits and during the gybe. “Close the gap”: The lowered sail foot creates the most efficient airflow.
The first cut-outs of the 72 and 85 start much further forward and the curve of the cut-outs increases towards the tail. The tail is re-designed for a more even water flow around the fin in order to provide steady fin pressure for permanent power and top speed. The 72 finishes with a wider inner cut-out for more stability and the 85 with a more pointy finish for extra release. The 62,5 features the all-new double step cut-out.
Six core design elements guarantee the perfect set-up for PWA racing:
DUAL TAIL OUTLINES – individually adjusted to each board size. The cut-out configuration of the bottom outline reduces the wetted surface and creates multiple release points for low drag and high speed. The deck outline over the cut-outs is wider and due to the further outboard rear strap position the rider can load more power onto the fin for more control and speed.
TRANSFORMING VEE FLOW along the bottom – the Vee is strongly pronounced in front of the mast base, decreasing between the foot straps and opening again towards the tail. Thus, the board rides high and loose, ironing out all the chop. The transforming V results in a curvy rail line which makes gybing smoother and helps to exit the turn at full speed.
COMPACT CONCEPT – The parallel outline in the mid-section of the short board maximizes the planing surface at the mast base, lifting the boards onto the plane instantly.
THIN PROFILE – in the nose area reduces drag since this is the part which is affected most by the wind. This, in combination with a sunken deck, means we managed to keep the swing weight centred for great top end control.
DECK SHAPES – Stance
A tiny but essential advantage: The comfortable and ergonomic deck shape guarantees a relaxed stance, allowing the rider to focus on going faster and faster.
DECK SHAPES – Efficiency
The board features the proven concave deck reducing swing weight and now comes with an additional recess for the deck box, dropping the pivot point of the mast base. As a result, the sail foot seals the gap between the board and sail providing ultimate efficiency as well as additional control when pushing the limits and during the gybe.
The 55 and 62.5 come with the normal Tuttlebox. The 72 and 85 feature JP’s specially reinforced Foil-Tuttlebox.
TECH FEATURES
* Full Biax/Carbon Deck
* Biax/Carbon Reinforcements
* Recess at the Mast Track to ‘close-the-gap’
* Double Footstrap Plugs
* Footstrap Scale
* Dual Tail outlines due to Cut-Outs
* Approved for Foiling (72, 85)
* No fin
It's simply fun to sail at maximum pace and win races!
